tracked leader until 4th, lost place 6th, not fluent next, behind from 8th
led, not fluent 6th, ridden before 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, one pace and no impression before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, mistake 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, challenged going well 2 out, led before last, shaken up flat, easily
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 7th, ridden and struggling after next, weakening when mistake 4 out, fell next
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
SGT RECKLESS was fourth in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham and then placed in a Grade 2 at Aintree, well ahead of Gentleman Jon, before his third to Faugheen at Punchestown in the spring. If he translates that form to chasing, he's going to be among the season's top novices and this looks a nice start. Horatio Hornblower chased home the useful Horizontal Speed over the brush hurdles at Haydock in April and could be another nice prospect while it will be interesting to see how the mare Doyly Carte fares over the bigger obstacles. She beat Ma Filleule in a Listed hurdle 18 months ago and was second to Annie Power in a Grade 2 at Doncaster earlier this year.
Comeback Colin 3-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, not much room when not fluent 2 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 10l behind Fort Worth (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Gentleman Jon 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, struggling to keep up when mistake 7th, well behind before 3 out, last of 3, 43l behind Splash of Ginge (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Blundered 1st, in touch towards rear, closed 4 out, slipped on bend into straight, ridden to chase winner 3 out, driven and gaining on winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Horizontal Speed (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f (3) gd in Apr.
Sea Current (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 5th, headway after 11th, lost place when hit 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Southfield Theatre (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs.
Sgt Reckless 8-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden 3 out, 5th next, moderate 4th entering straight, kept on without threatening to go 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Faugheen (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Apr.
Woodpole Academy (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along and headway approaching 5th, weakened well before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Madness Light (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Doyly Carte 40-1 (11-5) Towards rear, lost touch 4 out, never dangerous, 14th of 16, 37l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
